Bill to toughen texting and driving law for teens

Florida lawmakers want to crack down on teen drivers who have the deadly habit of texting and driving.

“You have to realize that most people are taught to drive safely,” said Jay Anderson, executive director of "Stay Alive, Just Drive," and a driving instructor for more than four decades.

He said he’s seen the phone and the car meld together over the years in more bad ways than good.

Anderson said though drivers start out with good habits, that changes over time.

Florida legislators will be presenting a piece of legislation to a Senate committee Tuesday that would change texting and driving to a primary offense for drivers under 18. It’s currently a secondary offense and changing it to primary would allow law enforcement to issue a ticket on the first offense.

“I agree, I think it should be all ages. Because unfortunately I see older people do it, too,” said Fort Myers driver Jennifer Schreiner.

Schreiner said she has read too many tragic stories of texting and driving, so she keeps hers in her purse.